In May, my 89-year-old mother was persuaded by a cold-calling telephone adviser from Sat Link Services Limited of Bognor Regis to take out an annual £60 insurance policy for satellite TV equipment that she doesn't even have. I have tried complaining and cancelled my mother's debit card but she has still paid £60. JE, Sheffield

You tell me your mother suffers from memory lapses and general confusion, and this is a nasty case of the ruthless exploitation of a vulnerable person.

My colleagues at West Sussex Trading Standards tell me Sat Link Services Limited (there is a proposal to strike it off from Companies House) sold insurance on behalf of Satellite Direct UK Limited, now in liquidation.

Enforcement action is being taken but this will not get your mother's £60 back.

The lesson is to remind the elderly about scams like this and consider setting up transaction limits on sole signatory bank accounts. It may seem like a modest sum but it could be a lot worse for others if precautions are not taken.